Life-preserver



(No Model.)

S. PBMBERTON. LIFE PRBSERVBR.

Patented Oct. 9, 1888.

M W V ATTORNEY.

W Til/E8858:

N. PETERS Pmwuuw m mr. Wiihingloll. u. c.

Nrrn STATES ATEN'I rides.

SAMUEL PEMBEBTON, OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN.

LIFE PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,803, dated Gotober 9, 1888.

Application filed May 11,1888. Serial No. 273,556.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL PEMBERTON, of Alpena, in the county of Alpena and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Li fe-Preserver, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to lite-preservers,

I and has for its object to provide a life preserver which may be easily and securely fastened to the body, and will be simple in construction and effective in use.

The invention consists in a life-prescrver constructed and arranged as hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawlngs, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the views.

Figure l is a front view of the invention, partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof with parts broken away.

In the construction of this invention the several parts are formed of rubber or other suitable water-proof material which is capable of being inflated. Two belts or bands, 1, are employed, connected at the rear by a pipe, 2, and each belt 1, having one end fastened to a bellows, 8, the nozzle 4 of which extends through the upper belt 1. The latter is formed with shoulder straps 5. The lower belt is narrower or smaller than the upper belt, and the pipe 2 tapers from the upper to the lower belt, thereby inflating the parts so as to properly balance the wearer. By this arrangement when the lifeprcserver is attached to the body the upper belt 1 will ene1rcle the body beneath the arms, the lower belt 1 will encircle the body at a point about opposite the lower end of the bellows or where 1t is attached thereto, and the pipe 2 will ex tend up the back of the wearer,while the bellows will be located in front.

The belts arefastened by straps 6 and buckles 7, or other suitable fastening devices. The belts 1 and shoulderstraps 5 are inflated by air passing from the bellows 3 through a lateral opening, 8, in nozzle 4, communicating with the upper belt 1. Vhen the inflation is complete, the reacting valve 9 in nozzle 4 is locked by means of a thumb-screw, 10, with headed end 11, which is brought down tight against valve 9. The bellows 3 being then empty are held in closed position, so as to lie fiat against the body by means of a bar, 12,

(N0 model.)

pivoted to the bellows, and secured bya loop, 13, thereon slipped over the headed end 14 of bar 12. The latter, extending over the opening 15, through which air is admitted to the bellows, serves also to cover the same and prevent the admission of water. It will thus be seen that a simple and effective life-preserver is provided,which can be easily secured to the body and inflated.

I do not desire to limit myself to the specific construction and arrangement of parts herein set forth, as they may be varied without departing from the essential features of the invention.

I Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A life-preserver consisting of two hollow belts connected together atone side by a tube and at the opposite side by a bellows, the said bellows communicating with one of the said belts andforcing air through both of the belts, substantially as described.

2. A life-preserver consisting of two hollow belts, the upper one of which is provided with hollow shoulder-straps communicating therewith, atube connecting the belts at one side,

and a bellows connecting them at the opposite side, the said bellows being in communication with one of the belts and forcing air throughout both belts and shoulder-straps, substantially as described.

3. A life-preserver consisting of an inflatable harness formed of the belts 1, pipe 2, connecting the same, bellows 3, secured at its ends to belts 1, and having loop 13, pivoted bar 12, having head 14, and extending over receiving air-vent 15 of bellows, and nozzle 4, extending through one of the belts 1, and having opening 8, and thumb-screw 10, with head 11, located above valve 9,substantially as described.

4. In a life-preserver, the combination,with two belts connected together by a tube at one side, of a bellows connected to each belt and having a nozzle extending through and communicating with one of the said belts, a discharge-valve in said nozzle,and a thumb-screw in the end of the nozzle for locking the discharge-valve when the belts have been inflated by the bellows, substantially as described.

SAMUEL PEMBERTON.

Witnesses:

W. T. SLEA'IOR, MroHL. OBRIEN. 

